Let’s Discuss
How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Netbook.

EMG 30-Second Rundown
My netbook (HP Mini 1000) is the most productive computer I have ever owned, and happens to be a green computer too.

First let me be clear, this is not the fastest computer I’ve ever used, but it is the greenest.  In fact, this computer is EPEAT Silver certified.  EPEAT is a system that helps purchasers evaluate, compare and select electronic products based on their environmental attributes.
Everything about this netbook screams green.  A smaller screen size means less materials in the unit, solid state drive means less power consumption, smaller more eco friendly packaging meaning less carbon footprint for shipping.  Yet the netbook is good enough for everything I do:   as it handles the entire Microsoft Office Suite without any problems. I use it to email, browse the web, listen to music, touch up photos and even watch online video.  I suspect this is true of most people.
I never thought that a computer with just a 10” screen, a low power processor, and a nearly decade old operating system (Windows XP was released in 2001) would be able to completely handle everything I needed for work and play. I’ve never felt held back by its performance or size.

The EMG Takeaway
The netbook follows the “take only what you need” approach.  Using about 10% of a desktop computer’s carbon footprint, the netbook has done everything I’ve thrown at it.
Putting my ego aside, I realized I don’t need a 17” screen when  10” will do.  I don’t need the latest processor when the efficient processor runs the software I use without any delay.  I don’t need what I don’t use, and in that way, this is the most efficient and green computer I’ve ever used.

3 Questions to Continue the Discussion
When most of the time we aren’t using the capacity of our computer, why should we be paying for it?
Unless you are in a specialized field working with large graphics or video, or a hard core gamer, why do we have this desire for the fastest system?
How many of us regularly are editing high definition video?  Manipulating 20+ megapixel production quality photos?  Do more than just use the Microsoft Office Suite and the internet?

If you live in Southern California, then you’ve probably heard about the Orange County Great Park which is being built on the former El Toro marine base in the Irvine/Lake Forest area. This park is going to be huge at about 2x the size of Central Park in New York.

The OC Great Park is going to be eco-friendly, which we love to hear at EMG. They will be recycling materials from the demolition of the old marine base to build new roads (concrete from runways), bridges (redwood from old hangers) and more. Other green initiatives include recycling water, renewable energy (solar power), habitat restoration and energy efficient transportation options throughout the park.

Phase One has just been announced and is going to be completed sometime in 2011 with many features available in 2010. The best part for us EMGers is that this phase is going to include part of the sports complex which includes soccer fields, as well as a bigger field for general use (football anyone?). Future phases will include tennis courts, baseball fields, skate park, and even a bowling green. This will be a great place to spend our lunches.

I even read an LA Times blog post that said that next year will be Wild River’s last season (for real this time) and that a new water park might open in the great park in 2011.

You can see a picture of the master plan here:
http://wiki.ocregister.com/@api/deki/files/70/=greatparkplanmap.gif

The preview park is currently open where you can take free rides in one of the world’s largest tethered helium balloons. It’s definitely worth a trip if you haven’t been yet.

There are several features that contribute to EMG’s most favorable professional environment: beautiful business/pleasure balance, casual dress, cool-and-oddly-cozy-hundred-year-old-lima-bean-factory location, healthy snacks of plenty, monthly team building events, etc. But the defining aspect of EMG’s refreshing and charming atmosphere is the team and its diversity. Team EMG is made up of 31 very unique individuals from an array of diverse backgrounds. In our creative environment, individuality, originality and even eccentricity are not only permitted, but fully encouraged. As a marketing agency that prides itself in being innovative and cutting-edge, we’re well aware that molds and boundaries need their limitations. Within weeks of working here, every employee quickly finds that they are at liberty to truly be themselves, 100%. And in the presence of such openness to diversity, we all learn how to communicate with, understand and genuinely appreciate one another - which, in many ways, has very much made us (oh dear Lord, I’m going to say it) a family.

Mid April brought us the paragon event in which EMG’s rich diversity is both highlighted and celebrated - our annual Earth Day International Potluck. On top of promoting the implementation of everyday green initiatives (bringing in plants for the work area and reusable dishes in lieu of paper products), each team member brought in a homemade dish that reflected their cultural background. During the course of a 2 hour lunch break smack in the middle of our work day, we got to know one another a little better through great conversation and the enjoyment of a variety of appetizers, entrees and desserts that gave us a more personal perspective of our colleagues. Read the rest of this entry »

OK…well as a first post…I just can’t write about what I do every day…

So instead, I am going to tell you about something I really enjoy! Succulents. You may be asking…what is a succulent?? Well…a succulent is a juicy leaved plant (much like a cactus but much cooler) that stores water and is very hard to kill. In fact…they can go weeks without water and remain very nice looking!

I have a collection of succulents at home…and thankfully a very rarely kill them

As soon as I figure out how to upload photos to the new blog…you will see some of the succulents I have at home!